Bridges and Tunnels

RPS offers the highest standard of professional service in relation to the design and construction of bridges and tunnels.

Our bridge forms include concrete and steel solutions and range from the modest to some of the largest landmark bridges in the country. Whether for crossings of road, river, rail or indeed coastal bays, RPS has a proven track record in delivering optimum, efficient and elegant bridge solutions. The preliminary design phase includes aesthetic, technical and cost evaluations of all reasonable options to identify the correct solution for each site. The RPS bridge design philosophy is to design for appearance through the life of the structure with minimum recourse to maintenance.

RPS also has experience in the conceptual and detailed design of cut and cover tunnels, top down tunnels, immersed tunnels, bored tunnels and hard rock tunnels. Our tunnelling projects have been undertaken in challenging environments through a variety of ground conditions. RPS facilitates all aspects of tunnelling consultation from preliminary design and procurement through to site supervision. Our tunnelling team is particularly skilled in the design and supervision of geotechnical ground investigations and can also accurately interpret resultant geotechnical information to provide recommendations on the selection of the appropriate tunnelling technique.

Case Studies

The approved route includes a 4.9km tunnel under Sruwaddacon Bay. RPS has been working to reconfigure a new route since being appointed by Shell E&P Ireland Ltd on behalf of the Corrib Partners in 2007.

RPS has undertaken the planning, engineering, Environmental Impact Statement and the local stakeholder communications on the controversial onshore pipeline between the offshore section and the Gas Terminal at Bellanaboy Bridge. RPS has also undertaken the wayleave negotiations with local landowners and provided key technical witnesses at the An Bord Pleanála Oral Hearings in 2009 and 2010.

Construction began in July 2011 and was completed in December 2015. The Corrib Onshore Gas Pipeline won the Engineers Ireland Outstanding Project of the Year Award in 2016.

Limerick Tunnel

Limerick Tunnel

2004 - 2012

The 675m tunnel under the River Shannon is one of the largest and most complex infrastructural projects ever undertaken in Mid-West Ireland.

RPS, in a joint venture with COWI, has fulfilled the role of Project Consultant since 1999 and has worked with its JV partner, Limerick County Council and the National Roads Authority (NRA) on delivering this key piece of infrastructure that forms a critical link in the Government’s proposed Atlantic Corridor on the west coast of the country.

Prior to 2004, RPS led and project managed the JV team for the route selection, preliminary design and Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) phases leading to the granting of permission by An Bord Pleanála. Since 2004, RPS has been responsible for providing technical advice and assistance to the NRA for the tender phase and provided technical advice, design review and contract monitoring services during the construction phase of the project.

Mizen Head Bridge

Mizen Head Bridge

Cork County Council / Commissioners of Irish Lights

It spans 50m across a dramatic sea gorge leading to the Mizen Head Lighthouse owned by the Commissioners of Irish Lights.

The original structure was built in 1909 and was considered to be the longest reinforced concrete bridge of its type in Europe on completion. In 2011, RPS has successfully delivered a new, replica reinforced concrete structure, following careful removal of the original structure. The successful completion of the project has preserved a landmark structure on the coast of Ireland for future generations to enjoy. Mizen Head Bridge was the overall winner of the Engineers Ireland Excellence Award in 2011.

Mulroy Bay Bridge

Mulroy Bay Bridge

Donegal County Council

Mulroy Bay Bridge is one of the largest bridges in Ireland and it has been successfully constructed in an area of Conservation and a Natural Habitat Area in County Donegal.

The bridge is a high level and multi-span bridge across Mulroy Bay, County Donegal, with associated approach roads. The bridge length is 340m and it comprises 5 spans, with a main span of 100 metres.

RPS worked on Mulroy Bay Bridge in Co. Donegal from its inception, doing the preliminary and detailed design work, the Environmental Impact Statement and getting the project through planning and then supervising the construction of the bridge.